In-Home Care: Simple Care and Safety Guidelines for a Senior Citizen
In-home care is an ideal alternative to a nursing home or specialised facility for seniors who need supportive care. As implied, this type of system is designed to allow the older person to remain in their home and maintain their independence. The caregiver will provide assistance or health care within this setting. On the other hand, you should note that there are significant risks attached to an elderly person living in a regular house. There are numerous hazards around the space, and health management can be a problem, particularly for individuals with serious conditions. Here are simple guidelines to help you provide a safe environment for your elderly loved one.
Choose the Right Professional Caregiver
In most cases, it is not practical for a family member to be constantly with the senior citizen. This limitation can be attributed to work, family commitments and school. Therefore, you should consider getting a professional caregiver to stay with the individual all the time or as needed. There are different levels of care which you should think about before making your decision. For example, if the older individual is usually in good health, you can get a companion who will provide mental stimulation and help with tasks around the home. However, if there are significant medical concerns, a nurse practitioner or registered nurse for health monitoring. Evaluate your loved one's needs and discuss the options with an in-home care service provider.
Safety-Proof the House
There are safety concerns in normal homes, and these might pose significant risks for an individual with physical limitations. Ideally, you should look for assistance from a professional, but you can perform the task through systematic assessment. You should keep knives, chemicals and flammable materials in a secure or locked cabinet in the house. All regularly used utensils and other supplies should be in a reachable storage space. In some cases, you might have to disengage hazardous machines like the garbage disposal. Wet areas such as the bathroom should have bars for holding o and anti-slip mats. In addition, keep all the floors free of cords, cables and rugs, and install night lights for easy navigation.
Organise Medication
Most senior citizens take medications for treatment, pain management or prophylaxis care. Unfortunately, these drugs can be easily forgotten or become poorly managed. If there is no around-the-clock caregiver, you should create a system which will remind your loved one to take the medication. Ideally, the drugs should be separated into doses, and you should install a timing application or mechanism.
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